“We should be more responsible about the things that we print. You can always hear about a rapping feud in magazines. And that’s fucked up because when you read a rock magazine they not talking about shit like that. They also not talking about the cars and the houses either. It’s a whole different culture and I totally understand that. But I’m just ready for my people to be taken to another level.

At the end of the day, I do this shit for not only myself but I’m trying to do it for the world. I’m trying to be like how Marvin [Gaye] was great and fuckin’ Donny Hathaway was great. I want to be one of those niggas that know that they contributed to the betterment of mankind… I don’t hold my dick and think about fuckin’ houses and cars all day cause I got ‘em. That’s not me man… If you don’t like me, man, don’t say nothing about me. ‘Cause there ain’t no “nigga please” about me. I do more fuckin’ charity than most people write off on their taxes.  That’s who I am.  So whoever said “nigga please” don’t say “nigga please” about me, man.  Say “nigga please” about yourself. You don’t fuckin’ know me.”

Pharrell, XXL, 2001